Today's news is all about Legion Beast Mastery hunters and the Old Gods! For Beast Mastery hunters, we have a preview of their new spells including Vincolo di Hati, as well as an image gallery of all the new beasts you can summon for Bestia Feroce. In Legion, every single zone will have unique Bestia Feroces; currently every zone on a continent shares models.

For Old Gods news, we have a video by TradeChat talking about the latest old god N'Zoth, as well as a mysterious piece of art revealed by Hearthstone which could very well be Y'Shaarj, the Old God who played a large role in Mists of Pandaria.

Edit: Added announcement about World of Warcraft: Traveler.

WoW Children's Books

Blizzard has teamed up with Scholastic for a new series of children's books!

The first hardcover book will be available November 2016, with the second in the series planned for November 2017.

Greg Weisman is the author, Samwise Didier is the artist, and Stephane Belin is the cover artist.

The story followed Aramar Thorne, the son of famous explorer Greydon Thorne. While traveling together at sea, the Wavestrider is attacked by pirates and Aram must then struggle to find his way home, meeting many cultures of Azeroth in his travels.

Blizzard

We’re pleased to announce a new collaboration with Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books on a new book series for kids ages 8-12 —World of Warcraft: Traveler!

This epic action-adventure series features a young cast of Warcraft characters discovering the mysteries and majesty of the world around them. Written by celebrated comic book author and animator Greg Weisman, the first book will include full-page illustrations and sketches created by Blizzard artist Samwise Didier, along with a full-color cover illustration by Blizzard artist Stephane Belin.

The first hardcover book is scheduled for release in November of 2016. Read the full press release here.

Announcement video and art pictures:

Scholastic has revealed additional details on the series, including information on the main character, Aramar Thorne.

Scholastic

“World of Warcraft is a captivating fantasy universe that lends itself to many imaginative and innovative storytelling possibilities. When Blizzard initially approached us about creating an original series for kids, we were not only intrigued but immediately mesmerized,” said Debra Dorfman, Vice President and Publisher, Global Licensing, and Media Consumer Products, Scholastic. “This has truly been a fantastic collaboration and we look forward to sharing this thrilling adventure with boys and girls everywhere.”

“We’re excited to be collaborating with Scholastic on a series that will bring Azeroth to life for a whole new audience,” said Chris Metzen, Senior Vice President of Story and Franchise Development at Blizzard Entertainment. “And Greg Weisman is an accomplished writer who’s really gotten to the heart and soul of Warcraft with the characters he’s developed here—we’re thrilled with the work he’s done on World of Warcraft: Traveler.”

About World of Warcraft: TravelerIt’s been years since twelve-year-old Aramar Thorne, a clever boy who is never without his precious sketch book, has seen his father. So when Captain Greydon Thorne comes ashore and asks his son to join him at sea, it feels as if someone has redrawn Aram’s entire world. Before he knows it, Aram is aboard the Wavestrider with Lakeshire fading to a distant dot on the horizon. But the thrill of adventure quickly fades, as Greydon relentlessly schools Aram on how to handle his cutlass and how to relate with the strange and diverse creatures of Azeroth. In addition, Aram struggles to get along with the Wavestrider’s crew—especially second mate Makasa, a tough teenaged girl who has been reluctantly placed in charge of him. Just as Aram starts to get his head above water, a band of vicious pirates attack the Wavestrider, turning his world upside down once again. As Aram tries to find his way home with his father’s compass in hand, he’ll travel across Azeroth’s beautiful and hostile terrain, encountering creatures both terrible and wondrous. He’ll seek to understand Azeroth’s denizens as he draws them in his sketchbook, forming unlikely friendships along the way. But the journey is hindered by Greydon’s compass, which never points north. If the compass isn't leading Aram and Makasa home--to safety--to what destiny is it leading them?

Who is N'Zoth?

N'Zoth's reveal in Hearthstone last week caused quite a stir as this was the first time players of any Blizzard game saw his appearance. TradeChat covers what's new about N'Zoth, the Corruptor. When do you think N'Zoth will have a major presence in WoW?

Y'Shaarj Artwork

Last week, Blizzard posted an Old Gods wallpaper which was later revealed to be N'Zoth, following that up with revealing N'Zoth's Hearthstone card in an Old Gods spotlight. We're due for another Old Gods spotlight this week and yesterday Blizzard posted a new Old Gods wallpaper. While Blizzard has not confirmed the subject of the artwork, it bears similarities to artwork of Y'Shaarj in Klaxxi'vess as well as the seven Sha bosses in Pandaria which spawned upon Y'Shaarj's defeat.

Scatola Rompicapo di Yogg-Saron also can whisper the line "Have you had the dream again? A black goat with seven eyes that watches from the outside." The numerous eyes line up with this artwork, which is also the number of Sha players can defeat in Pandaria.

While we're familiar with the corruption caused by the Heart of Y'Shaarj in Pandaria, we're not familiar with his image as he was the only Old God destroyed in the battle between the Black Empire and the Pantheon. In Pandaria, his influence can be found in the "Sha" bosses (Serenissimo) which were created by his death, the Klaxxi faction of Mantid who worship him, and the corruption of the Vallata dell'Eterna Primavera which was triggered by Garrosh reawakening the Heart of Y'Shaarj.

Updated Dire Beasts

In Legion, Bestia Feroce is getting an update in old zones. Instead of summoning the same three generic pets across a continent, you will summon pets unique to the atmosphere of your particular zone! Kalimdor, Eastern Kingdoms, Outland, and Northrend have received updates so we've taken pictures of all zones for you.

Commenti

Commento di Eylsmear

I love the new bear models. It's a little sad seeing it next to the older animal models....especially the worgs and wolves....New dire beasts per zone though? THAT is pretty cool!

Commento di Avralina17

on 2016-03-29T12:42:02-05:00

Yaaay! A new line of books! Going to have to get these for mys...I mean my kid.

Commento di Jephtha

on 2016-03-29T12:44:18-05:00

Really liking the new Stampede animation. It's actually a stampede now! Was skeptical about the gun's appearance at first, really does look great in action, imo. Aspect of the Turtle much appreciated over the floating axe blades of Deterrence. Glad the functionality has remained.

Commento di moosecat11

on 2016-03-29T12:57:14-05:00

I am not a child, but the children's books sound awesome anyway. Looking forward to it!

Commento di Falthrulus

I find that BM animations are much more bland than most other ranged, or even Survival.

Commento di GreenFireQuest

on 2016-03-29T13:38:32-05:00

I like the pets are getting a visual upgrade some of them really needed it. Looked more goofy than savage lol

Commento di MrVolare

on 2016-03-29T14:07:36-05:00

Still looks like a glorified leaf blower to me.

Commento di Ecrazion

on 2016-03-29T14:20:10-05:00

Still can't comprehend why we are electrocuting our own pets and how BM is not the melee spec with 2 pets, but Survival is a melee spec that drops traps right on top of themselves in combat... Hati update looks much better (are they updating the old Skoll spirit beast model too?) Gun looks terrible and why would they bring back volley? Have to say the Hunter changes have disappointed the hell out of me. Switch survival and BM artifacts and get rid of the electrocution crap and maybe just maybe... (btw why would Thorim ever use a gun... lore wise it makes NO SENSE AT ALL, keep it to Mimiron and make it the survival weapon that amplifies traps and grenades etc)

Commento di AmberLemur

on 2016-03-29T14:33:29-05:00

I want those books...why are they saying it's for children aged 8-12? 8 year olds aren't supposed to be playing the games! Naughty xD

These new changes for BM has made me want to play it again in Legion instead of swapping to SV, really happy now.

Though is it me, or does anyone totally see that gun as the Scream Extractor from Monsters Inc? xD that's all I can ever think about when I see it..

Commento di nightelfbane

on 2016-03-29T15:00:11-05:00

Doesn't Wrathion say that Yshaarj has seven heads during the Legendary Cloak questline? I definitely remember him saying "The Seven Heads of Y'shaarj"

Commento di Majeur

on 2016-03-29T15:03:07-05:00

Love the idea of this children's book, the more Warcraft the better, will definitely have a look when it's out.By the way...

The story followed Aramar Thorne, the son of famous explorer Greydon Throne

Thorne* ;)

Commento di Yaldrik

on 2016-03-29T15:07:36-05:00

Still waiting on that glyph that will let us summon our stable pets with dire beast.

Commento di drumzross92

on 2016-03-29T15:23:42-05:00

Love the dire beast updates! But for reals that orange beetle in badlands isn't doing @#$%, need a telescope to see that thing!

Commento di Farelf

on 2016-03-29T15:28:23-05:00

Still an ugly gun.. Will be transmoging to my Rhok as usual. I'm curious, Hopeful, that Barrage, Multi-shot, and Volley will al be available without having to chose between them.

Commento di MurlocSlayer11

on 2016-03-29T15:32:44-05:00

If it wasnt for their crap weapon I might well be playing a bm hunter in legion

Commento di Tydfil

on 2016-03-29T15:35:36-05:00

thinking about going back to beast master, but at the same time i dont want to use a gun.

Commento di Moonmistres

on 2016-03-29T16:25:39-05:00

I'm happy with everything else but the stampede animation just looks stupid I was happy with the old one